Now here's a bride and groom truly having fun on the dance floor at their July 2010 wedding reception! It's amazing how Krakora Studios uniquely captured the energy and emotion associated with a great dance...DJ'd by fellow Madison Wedding Guild member, Juke Box Bandstand. From the bride and groom's choreographed entrance to "Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson, to the very last song of the night, an upbeat and festive tone endured!

A refreshing and customized music mix was put together to keep the dance floor moving (and jumping=)) the entire evening. The following picture highlights some of Juke Box Bandstand's festive LED dance floor lighting.

And as this groom learned the hard way, "Look out for flying bouquets!"

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage! Isn’t that how the grade school playground rhyme goes? Although the core of the clients at Sugar Pear Design are wedding related, it is an honor to play a small role in announcing the birth or adoption of a newborn.

One such announcement is recognized in the current Graphic Design USA issue (July/August 2010). My daughter’s birth announcement is letterpressed using 100% cotton paper stock. The front of the announcement features Alexis’s very own footprints, which, along with her name, are blind impressed (an impression without ink). Inside I have her birth statistics and a black and white photograph of her. And although I’m not a pinky-baby-pastelly-kind-of-girl, her announcements were printed with a very pretty bright pink. It’s very fitting, since Alexis brightens my day—every day.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Like I mentioned, Sugar Pear Design does primarily focus on all things wedding. Here are two examples of stationery suites that have also been recognized for their design.

2010 AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION ADDY AWARD

I started working with Kirsten and Al about a year prior to their wedding. Save-the-dates were a must for this weekend long wedding being planned for Door County in northern Wisconsin.

Using the natural surroundings of Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor as inspiration, the invitation featured a blind impressed White Pine tree. The tree icon was then carried throughout their ceremony programs and menus. A pocket invitation was a perfect vehicle for holding all of the essential information for their guests.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Using the same calligraphy style throughout the whole suite, each guest’s place card was actually a river rock with his or her name on it. Table number were made out of a river rock, sticks and a calligraphy sign. Again, tying into the natural surroundings.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

2009 AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION ADDY AWARD

Although Margo and Steve were planning a December wedding, it wasn’t going to be anything but cold. Knowing that the invitation is the first indication to guests what type of event they were being invited to, Margo wanted the feel to be elegant and warm. A simple, no fuss Swarovski crystal was applied to each of the stationery pieces giving them a sense of charm. Instead of naming her dinner tables the typical 1, 2, 3; names like “first love” and “hugs & kisses” were used – a wonderful way to add a personal touch.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Stationery photography provided by Krakora Studios.

Specializing in the design of bespoke invitations, announcements and social stationery, Sugar Pear Design offers the perfect complement to your event, reflecting you unique personality and style. Stationery that delievers a true reflection of you. BEAUTIFUL. ELEGANT. UNDERSTATED.

I have loved the art of cake decorating since I was very young. I have a very vivid memory of watching an aunt decorating a family wedding cake in her kitchen and placing very delicate pink roses on each tier. She had promised me that she would teach me the art of cake decorating when I got older. Unfortunately, that aunt passed away when I was 8 years old but I never forgot the want or desire to decorate. I started decorating in high school and here, too many years later to mention, I still have the desire and the passion for the art.

I have been very fortunate to find an international organization of confectionary artist to share that passion. A group call the International Cake Exploration Societe' (ICES). This group has enable me to obtain scholarships to further my education into techniques that I can use to master my craft and meet people who share the same love of the art. I have been fortunate enough to take classes from such world reknown cake artists as Geraldine Randlesome and Collette Peters.

If you are looking for a confectionary artist for your wedding, you need to find someone who has the "passion" for their work, not someone who is just pushing the work through like an "assembly line" and doing dozens of cakes at a time. Look for someone who will have the time to listen to what you want, make some suggestions and help you plan that special cake. After all, this is your wedding day and everything should be special to your day, not a cookie cutter of someone else's.

This spring I was fortunate enough to do the wedding cake of the granddaughter of the aunt who inspired me so many years ago. In my aunt's honor I placed a small pink rose on the wedding cake because I felt that her hands had helped me get to where I am today.